Clear Value

product picks from the pros

When the budget permits, JSA specs high-end Starphire ultra-clear glass, which it used for the large picture window in this urban infill project. “It's a low-iron glass that costs about twice as much as regular window glass but is extremely transparent and doesn't have the green tint that regular glass has,” Schmaling says. It allows 5-percent-higher visible light transmission, the company says, and can be combined with coatings that satisfy energy requirements while maintaining ultra-clear visibility. PPG Industries, 412.434.3131; www.ppgstarphire.com.